Gluing machine with rockable platen for carton machines



April 2, 1957 A. F. SHIELDS GLUING MACHINE WITH ROCKABLE PLATEN FOR CARTON MACHINES Filed April 15, 1953 Firm 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zvmvrm Ap 1957 A. F. SHIELDS 2,787,239

GLUING MACHINE WITH ROCKABLE PLATEN FOR CARTON MACHINES Filed April 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EN TOR. Azxaer I 519767-40. 6 52 GLUING MACHINE WITH ROCKABLE PLATEN FOR CARTON MACHINES Albert F. Shields, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to S & S Corrugated Paper Machinery Co., Inc, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 15, 1953, Serial No. 349,008

4 Claims. (Cl. 118-1) The present invention relates to automatic paper box machinery and more particularly to novel glue apparatus for joining predetermined portions of folded box blanks together.

In the manufacture of paper or cardboard boxes, subsequent to the preliminary operations of cutting, scoring, creasing and folding of the box blanks, it is necessary to glue predetermined parts of the blanks together to com plete the box or carton. For example, in forming an open ended, generally rectangular sleevelike box, an elongated blank is initially formed with three transverse spaced fold lines subdividing the blank into four sections. One end adjacent section of the blank is formed with an integral flap or the like which, when the blank is folded into the sleevelike configuration, is secured to a marginal portion of the other end adjacent section. When folded and glued, the transverse fold lines define three of the meeting edges for the walls of the box, while the fourth meeting edge is provided at the marginal edges of the blank joined together by the flap.

Difficulty has been encountered in applying glue or adhesive to the flap or in the alternative to limited areas of the blank proper within the outline of the flap when in the folded formation.

In either eventuality, there is a risk of transferring or smearing of the adhesive to portions of the blank proper which are to remain free from the adhesive. This results in a much lower yield of properly processed blanks, and additionally, the uncontrolled spreading of the adhesive material often causes fouling of the automatic mechanisms of the processing equipment.

The primary function of the present invention is to distort the box blank as little as possible while applying glue in a semi folded state in order that an accurately folded box will result.

It is for this reason that I utilize a relatively small glue applicator roll and bring the roll up to the box in order to apply glue, rather than push the box down to the roll.

By eliminating distortion of the box blank during gluing, accuracy is obtained to a degree not heretofore possible in box gluing machines without the need for complicated automatic stops and pushers.

In the operation of my novel device, the path of the panel to which glue is applied is curved concave downward and the path of the remaining portion of the con tainer is curved in a very similar manner, concave upward. In this way, both portions of the box are curved or bent to the same degree and an accurate closure results. If only one panel were distorted and the other left flat, then an inaccurate gluing operation would be made.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel gluing apparatus for paper box machinery obviating one or more of the aforesaid difliculties.

In particular, it is within the contemplation of the tent ICC

present invention to provide means by which an adhesive or glue can be applied to accurately defined areas of a blank for a box or carton.

Certain of the objects and advantages of the present invention are realized by the provision of feed rollers defining a predetermined feed path for a box blank of the aforesaid character. Cooperating with the feed rollers is a glue roller which is arranged opposite one of the feed rollers serving as a pressure roller and is rock ably mounted for movement toward and away from the feed path defined by the rollers. The periphery of the glue roller is normally disposed along the feed path and serves to transfer glue to the flap during passage along the feed path.

An electrically operative coordinating system is connected in controlling relation to the glue roller for moving the latter away from the feed path at predetermined intervals. For example, it is desirable to discontinue transfer of the adhesive to the blank during intervals between passage of successive blanks or when selected portions of the blank passing the glue roller are not to receive the adhesive. Preferably, the glue roller is moved toward and away from the feed path by target operated switches which are actuated by the box blanks as the blanks move along an accurately defined feed path.

The above objects and features of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view of a gluing station embodying features of the present invention and shown in position to receive blanks from suitable conveying and feeding mechanisms.

Figure 2 is an elevational view taken from the right of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 the general arrangement of the gluing apparatus or station 10 which is intermittently fed with appropriate blanks from a conventional and well-known conveyor mechanism 12, the description of the latter being omitted for the purposes of simplicity and clarity. It will suffice to point out that the blanks are delivered to the gluing machine or station 10 at suitably spaced intervals and at a constant delivery speed, the blanks coming from scoring, slitting and folding mechanisms ahead of the station 10.

As seen in Figure 2, the blank 14 includes four sec tions 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d meeting along appropriate transverse fold lines 16, the end adjacent section 14d being provided with an integral flap 18 folded into a position overlying a marginal edge portion l lai of the other end adjacent section 14a. The blanks 14 are folded into the configuration shown in Figure 2 by the folding and scoring mechanisms in advance of the station 10 and are delivered along a feed line substantially normal to the plane of the drawings.

As seen best in Figures 1 and 2, the gluing station 10 includes a fixed base 22 and a vertically adjustable pressure head 24. The base 22 and the head 24 are supported in cooperating relation by a frame 26 (of which platen 22 is a part) including an upright or standard 28 and spaced apart sidewalls 30, 32.

Arranged intermediate the side or upright Walls 30, 32 of the frame 26 is a hollow support 34 which supports the aligned stub shafts 36, 38 in walls 30, 32. These shafts are journalled in the side walls 30, 32 and define a transverse horizontal pivot or rocking axis for the glue pan 40, 100. As seen best in Figures 1 and 3, member 40, 100 is a hollow casting formed with a glue pot or trough 46 receiving a glue transfer roller 42 supported on a shaft 46 and journalled on the support 46 by opposed bearings 44a, 44b. The shaft 46 for the glue transfer roller 42 is spaced from and parallel to a shaft 43 for a glue applying roller 56 which is journalled on a support by means of further opposed bearings 52a, 52b. A suitable transfer system is arranged between the rollers 42 and 50 for applying a uniform coating of glue from the pot or trough 46 to the glue applying roller 50.

Advantageously, a glue scraper 54 of known configuration is arranged to cooperate with the transfer roller or rollers 52 to assure the application of a uniform coating of glue to the roller 50 and the removal of any accumulations of glue which may occur during transfer to the gluing roller 50.

In order to drive the respective transfer and gluing rollers, a gear train, generally designated by the numeral 56, is connected to the shafts 46, 48 and to a suitable drive source, not shown. The gear train includes a main drive gear 58 and meshing driven gears 60, 62 for the respective roller shafts 46, 48.

The vertically adjustable pressure head 24 of the glue station 10 includes a frame or cradle 64 mounted by upright supporting rods 66, 68 for up and down movement relative to the bed 22. Surrounding the respective upright guide and supporting rods 66, 68 are coil springs 70, 72 which bias the cradle 64 into a predetermined location. Suitable adjustment nuts 74, 76 in threaded engagement with the respective guide rods 66, 68 hold the vertically adjustable head 24 in a predetermined position.

The cradle 64 rotatably supports one or more feed rollers '78, 8t) journalled by respective shafts 82, 34 for rotary movement about axes spaced from and parallel to the axis or shaft 48 of the glue roller 50. The adjusted position of the resiliently suspended head 24 is selected so that the periphery of the respective feed rollers 73, 8t cooperate with the glue applying roller 50 to define'a predetermined feed path, designated by the letter F, along which the flap 18 of the end adjacent section 14d of the blank 14 may pass upon delivery to the gluing station 10.

An appropriate driving gear train is connected to the upper feed rollers and is seen to include a main drive gear 86 connected to the drive source and driven gears 88, 90, respectively, connected to the shafts 82, 84 and in meshing engagement with the drive gear 86.

Laterally offset from the feed rollers 78, 80 and the glue applying roller 56 and on the opposite side of the standard or upright 28 of the frame 26 there is provided a further feed roller 94 which is likewise coupled via appropriate gearing 96a to the drive source. The feed roller 94 serves to maintain the other end adjacent section 14a in proper folded back position with the marginal edge portion 14m underlying the flap 13 receiving the adhesive. Accordingly, upon feeding of the blanks to the machine, glue may be applied, as will subsequently be described. Continued operation of the machine allows the blank 14 to advance beyond the gluing station with the flap 18 overlying the marginal edge portion 14m and appropriately positioned to be brought into pressure contact with the same by further mechanisms to complete the formation of the box.

As was previously pointed out and as seen best in Figure 1, the glue roller 56 is normally arranged with its periphery lying along the delivery path P for the flap 18 and accordingly cooperates with the opposite feed roller 80 serving as a pressure roller to apply the adhesive to the undersurface of the flap 18.

In order to apply the glue only to the flap or in the alternative to limited areas of the blank proper, the hollow support 34 carrying the glue applying roller 50 and the glue transfer roller 42 is intermittently rocked in a direction appropriate to move the periphery of the glue applying roller 50 from the feed path P. Rocking movement of the support about the axis defined by the aligned stub shafts 36, 35 is effected by means of a solenoid 96 including a plunger 98. The solenoid 96 is of the pull type and is energized in accordance with principles and practices well understood per se. The solenoid plunger 98 is coupled to an operating arm integral with or secured to the support 34 by means of a pin 102 serving as a pivotal connection between the plunger 98' and the arm res. Control of the solenoid 96 is accomplished by target operated switches actuated by contact with the leading and trailing edges of the box blank, this operation being well known and shown in United States Patent No. 2,248,744 issued July 8, 1941 assigned to the assignee of the present application. Briefly it can be seen that an electrical contacting mechanism 103 having projecting member 164 lies in the delivery path of one panel of the box blank. When the box strikes the projecting trip lever 164, the solenoid 96 is energized and thereby it moves the plunger 96 and rocks the support for the gluing roller in the proper time sequence as herein referred to in more detail.

Under actual operating conditions the device is employed in substantially the following manner:

The feed and delivery mechanism 12. successively delivers box blanks to the gluing station or apparatus 10 with the blank in the partially folded configuration of Figure 2. As seen in this figure, the flap 18 is in the path P and along the line of the glue roller 56 and the overlying pressure roller 86, the marginal edge portion 14111 of the end adjacent portion 14a of the flap being positioned below the flap 13. As the blanks are advanced through the station 10, the solenoid 96 is effective via the plunger 98 and the coupling pin 102 to rock the support 34 carrying the gluing roller 50 in the clockwise direction, thereby moving the glue roller away from the pressure roller 86 during periods when glue is not to be applied to the flap.

As previously pointed out, accurate control over the rocking movement can be obtained by target operated switches connected to the energizing circuit for the solenoid and suitably correlated to the position of the respective blanks along the feed path. Although the mechanisms have been described with a pull type solenoid periodically energized to move the gluing roller away from the feed path P, it is to be expressly understood that the system may be operated by a push type solenoid which may be periodically de-energized to achieve the desired correlation between feeding and the position of the glue roller.

In the foregoing the invention has been described solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of the invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, it is preferred to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a box forming machine for securing the flaps on one folded panel of a box blank to an underlying position of another folded panel a flap gluing station comprising roller means defining a first delivery path for one folded panel of said box blank, further roller means defining a second delivery path for the other folded section of said box blank, means for delivering said box blank along said first and second delivery paths with a marginal flap on said first folded panel of said box blank overlying and spaced above a marginal edge portion of said other folded panel, a glue roller arranged along said first delivery path opposite said first roller means for applying a coating of glue to the undersurface of said flap, and solenoid operated means for moving said glue roller into said first delivery path during predetermined gluing intervals.

2, I11 a box forming machine for securing the flap on one folded panel of a box blank to an underlying portion of a further folded panel, a flap gluing station including feed rollers having their respective peripheries defining a delivery path for said first folded panel, a resilient suspension mounting said feed rollers having means for adjusting the initial position of said feed rollers, a guide roller maintaining the second folded panel in position below said first folded panel, a glue roller normally having its periphery lying away from the delivery path and opposite one of said feed rollers; said one of said feed rollers serving as a pressure roller; and means operatively connected to said glue roller for elfecting movernent of said glue roller into said delivery path in ac cordance with the areas of the flap to be glued, the first and second folded panels being correspondingly oppositely curved along the delivery path to provide equal and regular deflection of the areas to be glued.

3. In a box forming machine for securing the flaps on one folded panel of a box blank to an underlying position of another folded panel, a flap gluing station comprising means including feed rollers defining a first delivery path for one folded panel of said box blank, a drive for said feed rollers, means including a guide roller defining a second delivery path for the other folded panel of said box blank, means for delivery said box blank to said first and second delivery paths with a marginal flap on said one folded panel of said box blank overlying and spaced above a marginal edge portion of said other folded panel, a rockable support, a glue roller registering with one of said feed rollers arranged along said first delivery path for applying a coating of glue to the undersurface of 'said flap and rotatably mounted on said rockable support, and solenoid operated means adapted to be actuated by target operatedf switches for rocking said support to move said glue roller into said first delivery path during predetermined gluing intervals.

4. In a box forming machine for securing the flap on one folded panel of a box blank to an underlying portion of a further folded panel, a flap gluing station including upper feed rollers having their respective peripheries defining a delivery path for said first folded panel, a resilient suspension mounting said upper feed rollers having means for adjusting the initial position of said upper feed rollers, a guide roller maintaining the second folded panel in position below said first folded panel, a movably mounted glue roller normally having its periphery lying away from the delivery path and opposite one of said upper feed rollers; said one of said feed rollers serving as a pressure roller; and means operatively connected to said glue roller for effecting movement of said glue roller into said delivery path in accordance with the areas of the flap to be glued.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,242,177 Ferguson May 13, 1941 2,366,411 La Hatte et al. Jan. 2, 1945 2,557,696 Shaefer June 19, 1951 2,625,085 Bergstein Jan. 13, 1953 2,633,063 Ohrn Mar. 31, 1953 

